Tension apparatus for strings of stringed musical instruments.



No. 705,288. Patented July 22, 1902 P. PECHENART. TENSION APPARATUS FOR STRINGS 0F STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

(A'pplicsticn filed June 16, 1900.)

(No Model.)

jnvezz far F wl pe cfien 27-2 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL PECHENART, OF BRAUX, FRANCE.

TENSION APPARATUS FOR STRINGS OF STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 705,288, dated July 22, 1902.

Application filed June 16, 1900. derial No. 20,567. (No model.)

To alt whom it may concern:

Be it known that I,PAUL PEOHENART,1nanufacturer, of Braux, in the Republic of France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tension Apparatus for the Strings of Stringed Musical Instruments with Finger-Board; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

The object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for facilitating the proper adjustment of tension of the strings of musical stringed instruments which are furnished with a finger-board like a violin.

In the tension apparatus usually employed for instruments of the kind the strings are fixed to pegs arranged in the sides of the head, the number of pegs corresponding to the number of the strings, in most cases four, two of the pegs being on the one side and two on the other side of the head. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that when the strings are tightened the player must shift his instrument, and thereby interrupt his playing. The present invention is intended to obviate this disadvantage by replacing the usual tightening-pegs by worm-gear mechanism so arranged that the axes of the actuating screws or worms are all carried in the same direction through the side of the head and are furnished with finger-pieces, by the turning of which the tightening of the strings is effected. The finger-pieces are all on the same side of the head and on that side which is within reach of the players left hand when the instrument is being played. Thus the player can easily tighten the strings with the left hand without being obliged to shift the instrument.

The invention is illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawing.

The head a maybe made of sheet metal or any other suitable material and in any suitable form. The pins 0 of the worm-wheel d, seated in an inserted plate b,are not arranged, as usual, on a straight line normal to a continuation of the finger-board, but obliquely with respect to it in the form of a series of steps and with their axes at right angles to the upper surface of the head, so that when the strings are fixed thereon a sufficient space is left between the strings. For the purposes of ornamentation the head may be curved according to taste. The worm-wheels d engage with worms or screws 6, all the axes of which are carried through the side of the head a of the finger-board, so that the pegs g, carrying the worms, are all within reach of the playerss left hand when the instrument is being played. The strings are tightened by turning the pegs g, the player not being required to shift his instrument and interrupt his playing.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A violin or like stringed instrumenthaving a head and a neck provided with a fingerboard, and tension-pegs all arranged longitudinally of said head and on one side only thereof, substantially as described.

2. A violin or like stringed instrument having a head and a neck provided with a finger board, and tension-pegs with worm-gearing all arranged longitudinally of said head and on one side only thereof, substantially as described.

3. A violin or like stringed instrument having a head and a neck provided with a fingerboard, spindles to which the strings are attached said spindles being arranged obliquely to the finger-board, and pegs for actuating the spindles by means of worm-gearing, the pegs being all arranged longitudinally of said head, and on one side only thereof, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PAUL PEOHEN ART.

Witnesses: T. BERNVOIR, A. DONOE. 

